Braintree Democrat says he 'did nothing wrong' in allowing Gomez into home

Jim Regan, a Braintree Democratic town committee member, says he did nothing wrong in allowing his inlaws to invite Republican Senate candidate Gabriel Gomez to their apartment in his house May 13. "This has gotten all blown out of proportion," Regan said. "It was their kitchen table."

By Sue Scheible

The Patriot Ledger, Quincy, MA

By Sue Scheible

Posted May. 25, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated May 25, 2013 at 3:24 PM

By Sue Scheible

Posted May. 25, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated May 25, 2013 at 3:24 PM

BRAINTREE

» Social News

It's a case of mistaken identity -- the kitchen table was not his, but belonged to his inlaws and was in their apartment, which is in his home, Jim Regan, a member of the Braintree Demcratic town committee, said Saturday.

Facing heat for allowing Republican Senate candidate Gabriel Gomez to come to his house May 13 and explain his political views and policy positions, Regan said the invitation came from his inlaws, David and Pat Lear, ages 84 and 76, who live in an apartment in Regan's house on Hobart Road.

The meeting took place in their apartment. Gomez is opposing Democratic U.S. Rep. Edward Markey in the contest for the special Senate seat next month.

"I did absolutely nothing wrong," Regan said Saturday afternoon, as his other phone lept ringing with incoming calls.

"I have been getting calls all day, because the story just grew and this has gotten blown out of proportion," he said. "All put together, it makes me into a bad Democrat and I know I am a good Democrat."

Regan said his mother- and father-in-law, registered Democrats, wanted to meet the Republican hopeful Gomez, who lives in Cohasset. Regan said his inlaws supported U.S. Rep. Stephen Lynch over Markey in the Democratic primary, and Regan did the same. He said they were interested in hearing another viewpoint. Regan's son, Dan, a college junior, was also at the meeting.

"They sat down at their kitchen table with Mr. Gomez and I was in the room, but not at the table," Regan said " I made a point of saying that I was not part of the discussion. They had asked me if I was going to join them."

The May 13 meeting, covered by The Patriot Ledger and other media, was arranged by the Gomez campaign, he said, and they arrived with press representatives who had not been expected. Regan said his inlaws had expected Gomez, his press aide and another aide, but when at least three reporters arrived, his inlaws agreed to allow them ito remain.

Regan said that after his inalws sat down and began talking with Gomez, he remained, bacause his inlaws are elderly and the event was taking place in his house, if not his own living area. He said they had a chance to discuss the views of Gomez with him, found the discussion "refreshing and impressive," and that a balanced budget was one of the topics. He was he pointed out that as a memebr of the town Democratic committee, he should not join the discussion.

On Thursday, Regan said, he was approached by state Rep. Mark Cusak of Braintree, chairman of the town Democratic committee, at the retirement party for the Braintree school superintendent, Peter Kurzberg. Regan said Rep. Cusack told him the Markey campaign was upset that Gomez was invited to Regan's house with media attention and that the Markey campaign wanted to know what Cusack was going to do to discipline Regan.

Page 2 of 2 - Regan said he was very upset at the statement and that Cusack told him he wasn't going to do anything, but that the message was delivered. "He delivered the message, but I think he did it badly," Regan said. He immediately told 30 or more people at the event what had happened.

"I was stunned," Regan said. "There was no endorsement, this was just a discussion. This is an example of the rancor and partianship that is so rampant today. I it is a microcosm of the poison affecting our politics today."

Regan said that he has not decided who he will vote for in the Senate race but that "more than likely I will pull the Democratic lever."

"You should feel honored to have a Senate candidate in our house," he said.